Tips for writing success.
A news journalist uses words – often together with images or video – to convey a clear, accurate, and concise picture of an event.
Journalists may write theatre, film or games reviews; write profiles of individuals; write about food, nature, beauty, technology, education, specialise in covering politics, science, economics...and so the list goes on.
There is no great magic to journalism but it does require skill, determination, an understanding of what the reader wants, and the drive and patience to find that information.
Every story should contain the basic building blocks of Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How. Without these elements a story is incomplete and leaves the reader asking for more information.
Journalists are writers who have honed their craft to a point where they can succinctly and clearly build vivid pictures with words which are relevant to their readers.
But a journalist is more than a writer. He, or she, has to have an eye for detail, and a determination to double check all the facts with independent sources to ensure accuracy.
Some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive words have been written by journalists creating an image for the reader, a sense of atmosphere, and the scale of horror or joy of what has happened, why, when, where, and how.
A journalist’s story – unlike that of the fiction or creative writer – will have no slow burn. No character development. No twists and turns in the plot.
But while the journalist’s craft sticks to facts and figures, a journalist does need to have the ability to use words creatively to create a clear mental picture for readers to bring the story alive.
Some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive words have been written by journalists creating an image for the reader, a sense of atmosphere, and the scale of horror or joy of what has happened, why, when, where, and how.
A journalist’s story will be straight down the line – factual with figures and detail, and providing the reader with useful or entertaining information.
This needs to be done concisely, with pace and with precision. Readers have many demands on their time and if the story fails to catch and hold their attention they will find something else just one flick of a page or a mouse click away.
Journalism produces reads which are entertaining, informative, offering something people want to hear and explained in a way which is clear to understand.
And the best way to start: By imagining you are recounting some event to your friend, family, colleague, or neighbour. Bring all the enthusiasm, detail, colour and facts into your narrative to tell them – concisely and accurately – exactly what happened, why, when, how and who was involved - and leave your reader with the picture in their mind of what you saw, heard or learned yourself.